WILLIAM GILLETTE

Distinguished exponent of the most human of the arts,—for more than half a century among countless thousands of your fellows you have added to the fascination of the stage and have won affection and respect for yourself. Your service in the American theatre, far from being secret, has been open good fortune for two generations of playgoers. Apostle of naturalness in acting, creator of thrilling moments in the drama, not the least of your distinctions is the giving of such shape and substance to a great fictional character that in our "Holmes" we picture the actor's image.